A routine go-around maneuver by an American Airlines pilot at Reagan National Airport (DCA) Tuesday has raised concerns about air traffic control procedures. An air traffic controller instructed the plane to ascend again after seeing another aircraft preparing to take off on the same runway, according to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statement.
The incident occurred around 8:20 a.m., with the pilot being asked to perform a go-around to maintain separation between the two planes. A Southwest Airlines flight later avoided a collision at Chicago Midway International Airport, prompting an FAA investigation into the incident.
American Airlines has disputed claims that the go-around maneuver was unusual or abnormal, stating it is a standard tool for maintaining safe and efficient flight operations. The airline’s policy allows for go-arounds to occur frequently in the National Airspace System.
Source: https://wjla.com/news/local/pilot-cancels-landing-into-dca-goes-around-to-avoid-plane-about-to-take-off-faa-planes-near-miss-crash-washington-chicago-southwest-flight-seen-nearly-colliding-with-another-aircraft-chicago-midway-international-airport-reagan-national-airport-traffic